Australia vs Afghanistan Match Highlights & Results

Right then, that's all from this unbelievable game where we saw one of, if not the greatest, ODI innings from Glenn Maxwell. Australia have become the third team to book a place in the semi-finals, and now the race amongst other teams will be for that remaining final spot. The action in the 2023 ODI World Cup continues on Wednesday, November 8 when England take on the Netherlands in Pune. The first ball will be bowled at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT), but our build-up will begin much sooner. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The skipper of Australia, Pat Cummins says that he has no words to describe this win. He says that Glenn Maxwell was just great. He was calm and he always had a plan as they were almost 200 behind and managed to win it from there. Says that Maxwell just wanted to stay and he proved that the game can be won from anywhere. Adds that it feels good to be in the semi-finals. Ends by saying that the toss is a bit tricky and the first 20 overs were the key.

Afghanistan's skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi says that they are very much disappointed and cricket is certainly a funny game. Adds that Glenn Maxwell was incredible in the kind of shows he played. He says that the drop catch was the key point and after that he gave no chance to their bowlers. Reckons that the team will be disappointed but its a part of the game and they will come back stronger in their next game against South Africa. Ends by saying that he is proud of Ibrahim Zadran that he is the first player to get a ton in the World Cup.

Glenn Maxwell is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his inexplicable knock of 201 runs from 128 balls. He says that it was hot while fielding and it was a good match. He says he was positive and thought that putting some pressure would help the innings. Mentions that the overturned LBW call was his wake-up call. Shares that the ball was nipping around and was gripping well for spinners. He adds that he is proud of the team for playing well and to come back and win 6 in a row is a great effort.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after Hashmatullah Shahidi called it right and opted to put runs on the board, it was a watchful start from the two Afghan openers. Rahmanullah Gurbaz departed early, but his opening partner, Ibrahim Zadran, stood firm and forged partnerships, first with Rahmat Shah and then with Hashmatullah Shahidi. In the middle phase, they were not able to accelerate in a fashion they would have liked but did not lose their way either by losing a flurry of wickets. Ibrahim carried on and became the first batter to score a hundred for Afghanistan in ODI World Cups. He accelerated after reaching his milestone and found good support from Rashid Khan, who was at his explosive best. Both remained unbeaten and powered Afghanistan to their highest-ever World Cup total of 291. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers with a couple of wickets while Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa accounted for a wicket each.

Having finished strongly with the bat, Afghanistan certainly took that momentum into their bowling effort. Brought into the side for this game, Naveen-ul-Haq created an instant impact with a wicket in his first over. Hashmatullah Shahidi quickly understood the help the pacers were getting and brought on pace from both ends. It worked like a charm as Azmatullah Omarzai and Naveen-ul-Haq combined together to put Australia in all sorts of trouble. Rashid Khan then struck off successive overs and at that stage, Afghanistan had victory in their sights. However, complacency crept in and the error by Mujeeb Ur Rahman to drop Glenn Maxwell when he was on 33, did not do them any favours. As Glenn Maxwell began his onslaught, the Afghan bowlers lost their lines and lengths and they soon ran out of options to get rid of him. Hashmatullah Shahidi kept ringing in changes but they simply had no answers to the brilliance of Glenn Maxwell. Afghanistan will be right now feeling that cricket is a cruel game but they will have to pick themselves up quickly to have a shot at making it to the semis.

In their pursuit of 292, Australia were rocked early as they lost Travis Head for a duck. Mitchell Marsh and David Warner tried to be proactive and lost their wicket in the process. It soon went from bad to worse for Australia as a late response from Marnus Labuschange led to him being caught short of his crease. It was a virtual procession post that and Australia found themselves crumbling at 91-7. Glenn Maxwell then began the rescue act with skipper Pat Cummins with the former doing the heavy lifting during the partnership. Maxwell targetted the slower bowlers and by doing so, he was able to find boundaries at will on his way to his second hundred of this World Cup. He soon began to struggle with cramps and batted the second half of his innings with one leg. As a result, ones and twos became hard to come by but Maxwell held his composure throughout to find boundaries every now and then. Even though Pat Cummins contributed just 12 runs in the 202-run stand, he was more than an able alley. Glenn Maxwell soon went into overdrive and there was no stopping him as he unleashed his way to a double hundred to get Australia over the line out of nowhere. This is now the highest-ever score for a batter while chasing in ODIs and the highest individual score for Australia in ODI cricket.

GLENN MAXWELL HAS PULLED OFF A HEIST FOR AUSTRALIA! A knock for the ages from the 'Big Show' has helped Australia rise from the ashes to seal a spot in the semi-final of the ODI World Cup. At 91-7, Australia looked dead and buried but Glenn Maxwell stepped up to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. As for Afghanistan, it will be a bitter pill to swallow and they have been handed a defeat that is bound to give them sleepless nights.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Glenn Maxwell, Six!SIX! UNBELIEVABLE! ASTONISHING! This has been an incredible run chase and Glenn Maxwell deserves all the credit for it. Mujeeb Ur Rahman goes a bit full and on off. Glenn Maxwell lofts it in the air and he gets a clean hold of it. The ball clears the fence and goes into the stands. What a shot, what an innings and what a partnership. The Australian dressing room goes bonkers, the crowd is standing on its feet, and Maxwell has his arms raised in triumph - a double century for him, the first man to do it while chasing in this format! Take a bow! Australia win by 3 wickets and have nailed their spot in the semis.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Glenn Maxwell, Four!FOUR MORE! Mujeeb Ur Rahman with another short ball outside off. Glenn Maxwell just reaches for it and hits it in the gap perfectly for four more runs. One shot away from a win and a double century.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Glenn Maxwell, Six!SIX! AGAIN! Mujeeb Ur Rahman drops it short and outside off. Glenn Maxwell stands tall and slaps it with a flat bat sending the ball over long on for another maximum.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Glenn Maxwell, Six!SIX! Gets it this time! Mujeeb Ur Rahman goes fuller and on off. Glenn Maxwell gets underneath it and muscles it over deep mid-wicket and into the stands for a biggie.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Short and over off. Glenn Maxwell pulls hard but misses the perfect connection.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Good batting! Rashid Khan goes full and on off. Glenn Maxwell flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for a single as Glenn Maxwell will keep strike next over. A good spell from Rashid Khan.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Floated up on leg. Glenn Maxwell flicks it away to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Very full on the toes. Glenn Maxwell pushes it to the right of Rashid Khan.

Rashid Khan to Pat Cummins, 1 run.Floated up on middle. Pat Cummins drives it back to the bowler but he fails to collect it. They take a single.

Rashid Khan to Pat Cummins, No run.Tossed up on off. Pat Cummins drives it to the fielder at cover.

Rashid Khan to Pat Cummins, Wide!Errs in line. He bowls it fuller but way down leg. The umpire signals a wide.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Rashid Khan goes short and on off. Glenn Maxwell nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single to get off strike.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Oh...just wide! Naveen-ul-Haq hurls it on a fullish length, on middle, Glenn Maxwell shapes to work this one on the leg side but closes the bat face early. He gets a leading edge that goes agonizingly wide of the diving Naveen-ul-Haq to his left for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Goes full and on middle and leg, Glenn Maxwell shows the full face of his bat and pushes it down to long on.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Swing and a miss! Cleverly rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Glenn Maxwell swings to pull it away but goes through his shot a bit early as the ball sneaks under his bat and over the stumps.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Bowls this one fuller and with some pace behind it, on the pads, Glenn Maxwell just has to get some bat on it but he fails to help it away and gets hit on the thigh.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Fullish delivery, at the stumps, Glenn Maxwell drills it down to long on and denies the single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, Six!SIX! Extraordinary hitting! Naveen-ul-Haq angles it into the right-hander, on a length, on middle, Glenn Maxwell picks the length early and swings with the angle. He deposits it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Pace on now and shorter, over middle, Glenn Maxwell waits for the ball to arrive and calmly helps it towards deep backward square leg. He decides to take the single which catches Afghanistan by surprise.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Slower and into the deck, on off, Glenn Maxwell goes for the pull again but he mistimes his shot towards deep square leg for a dot.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, Four!FOUR! In the gap! Azmatullah Omarzai bangs it in short, at the batter, Glenn Maxwell waits back in his crease and nails the pull between deep mid-wicket and long on for four more runs.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, Six!SIX! Glenn Maxwell, how do you manage to do it? Slower and a bit fuller, outside off, Glenn Maxwell pulls out the reverse hit and executes it to perfection. Clears the third man fence for a maximum.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, No run.At the stumps again, fuller in length, Glenn Maxwell swats it hard towards deep square leg and refuses the single again.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, Four!FOUR! Another streaky boundary! Angling in, on a length, at the batter, Glenn Maxwell stays still and goes for a heave across the line. He gets an inside edge as the ball races to the left of short fine leg for a boundary.

Noor Ahmad to Pat Cummins, No run.Fuller in length from over the wicket, on off, Pat Cummins reaches out in front and keeps it out on the off side. A maiden from Noor Ahmad!

Noor Ahmad to Pat Cummins, No run.Bowls it short and outside off, Pat Cummins uses the depth of the crease to punch it towards extra cover.

Noor Ahmad to Pat Cummins, No run.Short and turning into the pads, Pat Cummins tucks it off the back foot to square leg for a dot.

Noor Ahmad to Pat Cummins, No run.Drags the length back and bowls it short, outside off, Pat Cummins slaps it hard towards deep point but they do not run a single again.

Noor Ahmad to Pat Cummins, No run.Offers flight, full and on the pads, Pat Cummins nudges it away in front of square on the leg side.

Noor Ahmad to Pat Cummins, No run.Beaten! Slower and shorter, outside off, Pat Cummins has a waft away from the body and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Goes full and straight, at the stumps, Glenn Maxwell digs it out down the ground to long on and denies the single again.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, Four!FOUR! The boundaries continue to flow! Fuller in length, just outside off, Glenn Maxwell tries the reverse scoop again but this time he gets this one out off the toe end. The ball races away wide of the keeper and into the third man fence for four more runs.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Short of a length, outside off, Glenn Maxwell tries to hammer this one through the off side but connects with thin air.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, Four!FOUR! Stand and deliver and that will be 150 for Glenn Maxwell! Pace on, at the stumps, on a length, Glenn Maxwell winds up and hammers it flat and wide of Rahmanullah Gurbaz at long on for four more runs. He is continuing his onslaught despite struggling with cramps.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Slower, on a good length, outside off, Glenn Maxwell goes for the reverse hit but misses out on the connection.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Angling in, on a length from around the wicket, on middle, Glenn Maxwell stays leg side of the ball and swipes it towards wide long on and refuses the single.

Noor Ahmad to Pat Cummins, No run.Slower through the air, short and on off, Pat Cummins waits for the ball to arrive and pushes it away towards point.

Noor Ahmad to Pat Cummins, No run.Fuller this time, on middle, Pat Cummins prods forward and defends it on the leg side.

Noor Ahmad to Pat Cummins, No run.Beaten! Drops it short and turning away, slower on off, Pat Cummins stays back in his crease to block this one out but the ball spins away to beat the outside edge.

Noor Ahmad to Pat Cummins, No run.Tosses it up, full and outside off, Pat Cummins leans on and defends it out off the outer half of the bat towards backward point.

Halt!

Halt. Glenn Maxwell seems to be in a lot of discomfort and he is lying there on the ground. The physios are out there and the umpires are talking to them. Looks like Glenn Maxwell will continue for now but he is in serious pain.

Noor Ahmad to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Oh, dear! Glenn Maxwell is in some serious discomfort! Noor Ahmad keeps it short, around off, Glenn Maxwell punches it from the crease towards long off and limps his way to the other end. He somehow manages to complete his run and immediately lays down on his back after completing the run.

Noor Ahmad to Glenn Maxwell, Four!FOUR! Woah, pure timing! Noor Ahmad dishes it out short and on off, Glenn Maxwell hangs back and stays leg side of the ball. He punches it sweetly off the middle of the bat and it beats the long off fielder to his left for a boundary.

Powerplay 3! Afghanistan can now have 5 fielders outside the 30-yard circle until the end of the innings. Noor Ahmad (8-0-48-0) is brought back into the attack.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Pat Cummins, No run.Short and on off. Pat Cummins guides it to thrid man and refuses a single. A dot ball to end the over.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Pat Cummins, No run.On the hard length and on middle. Pat Cummins does his job well and defends solidly.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.On length and on leg. Glenn Maxwell nudges it away to deep mid-wicket and limps away for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, Four!FOUR AGAIN! Naveen-ul-Haq goes full and on middle. Glenn Maxwell hits hit hard and hits it straight. The ball races away to the fence for another four. What a shot!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, Four!FOUR! Naveen-ul-Haq goes short and on leg. Glenn Maxwell stands back and flicks it away in the gap at square leg for a much needed boundary.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Fuller and on middle. Glenn Maxwell hacks it to long on but doesn't take a single.

Rashid Khan to Pat Cummins, No run.Floated up on leg. Pat Cummins defends it sending the ball back to the bowler.

Rashid Khan to Pat Cummins, No run.Tossed up on middle. Pat Cummins nudges it away to short fine leg.

Rashid Khan to Pat Cummins, No run.Uppish and on middle. Pat Cummins blocks it on the leg side.

Rashid Khan to Pat Cummins, No run.Fullish and on off. Pat Cummins guides it to point but is sent back by Glenn Maxwell as he tries to take a single.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Tossed up on off. Glenn Maxwell slaps it to point and limps away for a single.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Maxwell, Six!SIX! UP UP AND AWAY! Rashid Khan goes full and on leg. Glenn Maxwell has played it on one leg as he muscles it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. He loses his balance after the shot but has got the big runs.

Halt! The struggling Glenn Maxwell is down on his haunches and the physio is out again to attend him. He is back up on his feet and ready to go.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Pat Cummins, No run.Beaten! Naveen-ul-Haq goes full and outside off. Pat Cummins tries to be aggressive and swings hard. He is beaten by the pace. A good over for Afghanistan comes to an end. They will need more of those.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Pat Cummins, No run.A good yorker on middle. Pat Cummins digs it out well to the bowler. Another dot ball.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Pat Cummins, Wide!Errs in line. Naveen-ul-Haq bowls this full but way down leg. The keeper collects it well as the umpire signals a wide.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Pat Cummins, No run.Slow and full on middle. Pat Cummins blocks it as the ball rolls to mid on. Glenn Maxwell looks to be in discomfort.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Pat Cummins, No run.Full and on off. Pat Cummins times the drive well but straight to the fielder at point.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Short and outside off. Glenn Maxwell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Full and on off. Glenn Maxwell drives it to cover and refuses a single.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Fullish and on middle. Glenn Maxwell nudges it to mid-wicket and hobbles away to the other side for a run.

Rashid Khan to Pat Cummins, 1 run.Tossed up and outside off. Pat Cummins drives it to long off for a single.

Rashid Khan to Pat Cummins, No run.Shortish and just outside off. Pat Cummins plays it with the turn on the off side.

Rashid Khan to Pat Cummins, No run.Full again on off. Pat Cummins drives it to mid off.

Rashid Khan to Pat Cummins, No run.Tossed up and on off. Pat Cummins blocks it on the off side safely.

Rashid Khan to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Short and on leg. Glenn Maxwell nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Pat Cummins, No run.Uppish and outside off. Pat Cummins blocks it safely on the off side.

Mohammad Nabi to Pat Cummins, No run.Fullish and on off. Pat Cummins sends it back to the bowler.

Mohammad Nabi to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Shortish and on off. Glenn Maxwell slaps it to deep point for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Glenn Maxwell, Six!SIX! UP UP AND AWAY! Mohammad Nabi drops it a bit short and on middle. Glenn Maxwell shifts and smacks it over deep mid-wicket all the way beyond the fence for a biggie.

Mohammad Nabi to Glenn Maxwell, Four!FOUR! What a shot! Mohammad Nabi bowls it full and on leg. Glenn Maxwell gets creative and he scoops it over short fine leg. The ball races away to the fence for a boundary.

Mohammad Nabi to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Full and on middle. Glenn Maxwell flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Fuller and way outside off. Glenn Maxwell just guides it towards point for a single to end the over and keep the strike.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Pat Cummins, 1 run.A full toss on leg. Pat Cummins deflects it off to deep square leg for a run.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Short again, slower and outside off. Glenn Maxwell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Pat Cummins, 1 run.On the good length and outside off. Pat Cummins drives it to deep point for one more run to get Maxwell on strike.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Short again this time over middle. Glenn Maxwell pulls it towards deep square leg for a single. Good fielding from Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Naveen-ul-Haq bowls it on length and on off. Glenn Maxwell drives it to mid on where the fielder collects it.

Halt! Glenn Maxwell is experiencing discomfort in his lower back. The physio is out to treat him. Maxwell is back on his feet and we are all set to resume. Also, time for some pace as Naveen-ul-Haq (5-0-24-2) comes back into the attack.

Mohammad Nabi to Pat Cummins, No run.Tossed up outside off. Pat Cummins defends it well to end the over.

Mohammad Nabi to Glenn Maxwell, 1 run.Fuller and on middle. Glenn Maxwell walks down and drives it to long on for a single.

Mohammad Nabi to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Shortish again this time on the pads. Glenn Maxwell pats it down on the leg side.

Mohammad Nabi to Glenn Maxwell, No run.Short and slower on off. Glenn Maxwell mistimes his shot and gets a bottom edge.

Mohammad Nabi to Glenn Maxwell, Four!FOUR AGAIN! Mohammad Nabi replicates the previous ball. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and slaps it again through covers. The ball races away to the fence for another boundary.

A halt in play as one of the advertisement boards behind the bowler's arm is causing a bit of an issue. It has been sorted and we are all good to go now.

Mohammad Nabi to Glenn Maxwell, Four!FOUR! What a way to start the over! Mohammad Nabi goes full and on off. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and slaps it through the gap at cover. The ball races away for a boundary. A fine shot by an extraordinary batter.